How You Can Help?

How can you help someone who may be suicidal?

In a nutshell, be informed, sensitive and involved.Standing aside and wringing your hands while a friend or loved one spirals into suicide is both futile and cowardly.Here’s a list of things you should and shouldn’t do:

Be aware.Learn the warning signs

Show interest and support

Ask the person directly whether he or she is contemplating suicide

Be direct.Talk openly and freely about suicide.

Be willing to listen.Encourage expressions of feelings and accept those feelings as sincere expressions

Don’t judge.Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or whether feelings are good or bad.Don’t lecture on the value of life

Don’t dare the person to kill himself or herself.That could precipitate the attempt